Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 36

Out of the dark room behind the door of ice came the most beautiful creature Cytra had ever seen. This magnificent beast was unlike anything she could ever imagine. The depictions of it did this being no justice.

The Ciamas approached her. It was incredibly large. If Cytra stood beside it, the Ciamas would still be taller, even on all fours.

The Ciamas resembled a lion. Its blinding white fleece was perfect. The Ciamas's mane flowed down its neck and back. The mane almost appeared to be a brighter white than its fur. The creature looked down at Cytra and smile. Cytra didn't think an animal could smile, but the Ciamas did. It looked into Cytra's eyes with the love an old friend. Cytra had never seen such icy, blue eyes.

The legend's most incredible feature was its incredible wingspan. Cytra never imagined the Ciamas to be such a beautiful creature. She thought it would be a great powerful warrior-like creature, but what she was seeing was the ultimate creature of beauty.

Just being in the presence of the Ciamas seemed to humble Cytra. Cytra reflected on all the great things in her life. Her mother, the fun she had with Jitlan, her kiss with Raiden... they all came flooding back to her, filling her with hope, which is exactly what she needed.

"Cytra, thank you for finally breaking me free from that prison," the deep voice of the Ciamas spoke. The legend's mouth didn't move as it spoke, it seemed to enter her mind. It was almost as if their minds were connected, and they were speaking telepathically.

"Prison?" Cytra asked. "I thought that you, the Ciamas, left after the Knights of the Revenant fell."

"And I thought you didn't believe in those silly stories," he replied, giving her a knowing look. "And just call me Ci. It will be easier."

The Ciamas--Ci--was treating Cytra like she was an old friend. He said he had been waiting for her to release him from his prison, but how did he know about her? Was this Ciamas as powerful as the legends suggested? Could this creature truly be the 'creator' that people believed him to be?

"Cytra," Ci said. "I can hear your thoughts, and one day, I will be more than happy to answer your questions. But you are here for a different purpose, are you not?"

"Ci, Shodon is in trouble. A man by the name of Moldark Rathmore is planning to destroy Shodon. He wants to create a new Aleudia by destroying it first," Cytra explained.

"It's happening," Ci said to himself. Then to Cytra, he said, "But that's not why you came for help."

"What do you mean?"

"You came because you want to save 'Sunshine', as you have nicknamed him. You want him to be safe, and you don't care for the rest of Aleudia," Ci pointed out.

"With all due respect, Aleudia never had anything to offer me. If Raiden hadn't helped me see a light in myself, I would be helping Moldark right now, and you would still be trapped here."

"I am not saying your cause is not noble. It is. In fact, it is quite romantic. However, you can't forget about the rest of the world. I will assist you in saving Shodon, and Raiden, but once that's over, I will return to my old duties of building Aleudia from what already exists. And I have an old score to settle," he explained. "You have to promise to do what you can to help me after this upcoming battle. I want you to establish the Knights of the Revenant, and do it with the help of Raiden."

Cytra looked Ci in the eye, and was not sure of herself. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"I will speak with Alayah," he said, getting down to business. "She, and the rest of Turphia, will assist you in establishing the old ways."

Cytra was speechless. How did you respond to a command from a God-like creature?

Ci smiled once again. "Climb upon my back. We have a kingdom to save."

"We have a ray of Sunshine to save."